The sun was shining, not a cloud was in the sky, and Hermione had just returned from a doctors appointment.
"It's a boy!" she announced joyfully as she walked into her house.
"You're bloody joking," Draco said with a big smile on his face, rushing towards his wife and embracing her. "Tell me you're joking."
Hermione shook her head, "Healer confirmed it! Look at the ultrasound," she handed her husband the black and white photo of the baby in her womb; the picture showed the sketchy outline shifting slightly. "See right there," Hermione said pointing as a leg moved, "that's how we know!"
"Hermione I'm so happy I could kiss you!" Draco said, picking his wife up, feeling her small baby bump pressed against his stomach as he swung her gently.
"Please check the room before you do," Gemini said walking in the room. "You've got mail, by the way. It's from Ara,"
Hermione opened the letter, two pieces of parchment falling out. "A birthday card for Lyra," she read, "and a letter for us! Where is Lyra?"
"Playing with Lorcan," Draco said.
"I thought Luna was going to pick him up an hour ago," Hermione said, brows drawing together in confusion.
"She sent a message along, said she was running late. She, also, had a doctors appointment. It seems she is pregnant as well, at least that's what Lorcan says." Draco smirked.
Hermione swatted her husband, smiling as she opened the letter from Ara.
Three months had passed since the kidnapping had happened; Lyra still had nightmare's, Gemini woke up screaming on occasion, and Ara could be found crying in her sleep. Hermione sympathized with them, even after the many years since the war ended, Hermione still had dreams about it, would scream as she woke, or would be found crying while she slept. It was just something that would forever be scarred in her brain, a memory she wished she never had, but had learned to live with; just as her girls would learn to live with this.
A lot had happened, though, thanks to the events that took place. The first was that Draco had been accepted into the Auror department, if he so pleased. He was now working side-by-side Harry Potter to bring in the unlawful. Since joining the department, catches had gone up 15%, thanks to Draco's resources.
Hermione had also been given a job at the Ministry in the Magical Law Enforcement office, rather than defending muggle cases. It was a lot easier for Hermione to relate to cases that revolved around misuse of magic rather than divorce and all the other silly things muggles argued over.
Narcissa and Molly Weasley had also become good friends, through the help of Andromeda. Narcissa could always be found over at the Burrow helping prepare feasts for the family, or just having tea with Molly as she went about her day.
Ron's funeral had been held three days after his death, many witches and wizards coming out to say goodbye to the once hero. No one knew exactly how the man had died, although many were aware of his illness and escape, and they suspected it had something to do with that. Hermione had shed many tears that day, for her friend, for what could have been, and for what had happened. The Weasley's didn't blame her or her family for what happened, they were just happy that their son was finally at peace.
Gemini had had her eighth birthday two weeks after the incident with Ron. She had happily received a telescope that magically pointed to whatever constellation the person thought of. Draco had gone out that night with her, just the two of them, and gazed at the stars, spotting Lyra's constellation, and a few smaller other ones. "In February we will go out again, just you and I, and find yours." Draco had promised her.
Ara had gone off to Hogwarts, owling Hermione that very night to announce, happily, that she had indeed been sorted into Ravenclaw, as Narcissa had expected, alongside Victorie. James, Hermione had later found out, was in Gryffindor with Teddy. The four were inseparable, reminding Minevra McGonagall, the headmistress, much of the legendary Golden Trio, or even the late Marauders. Ara and James had also been accepted onto their individual Quidditch teams as Chasers. It would be interesting when they met in a match against one another.
Lyra had been very quiet for a long time, and Hermione and Draco had wondered if there was something seriously wrong with her, but a private healer had assured the duo that the young girl was perfectly fine, and that she would recover and bounce back to her old self in time. Time healed all wounds, the healer had said. She was slowly becoming her old self, but some days Hermione could see the lost look in her daughters eyes, and she couldn't help but worry.
Now, Hermione unfolded the letter from Ara and read…
Mum, Dad, Lyra, and Gemini
Our first Quidditch game is in a few weeks and we've been busy training hard. My captain, Jeff, says I'm a natural! He thinks we may actually have a chance at the Cup this year! I've scored more goals during practice than any other chaser on the team, and they're both forth years!
School work is starting to build up some, but I'm doing fairly well at keeping up. Teddy's been helping me a lot when I feel particularly lost on a certain subject. I'm enjoying my classes, though, and am learning a lot!
How are you feeling mum? Is the baby treating you alright? I hope it's a boy. It's a boy, right? I know I'm right! This family has enough girls, and I'm sure dad agrees with me. I hope he's not giving you too much trouble! (the baby, not dad… well… maybe dad too).
I heard you will be attending the Halloween feats this year! I can't wait to see you, I miss all of you so much! I've enclosed a birthday card for Lyra, since I won't get to see her. I hope she likes it. Teddy picked me up some cauldron cakes in Hogsmead last weekend that I thought she'd enjoy, just don't let Gemini get to them first.
Well I think that's everything,
Write back soon!
Love you
Ara
Draco read the letter over his wife's shoulder, smiling. He glanced down at his wife's wrist, watching as their girl's names and star formations flashed upon it. After everything that had happened Hermione had gotten her daughter's names and constellations tattooed upon her wrist, a reminder as to what is most important in her life. Draco had the same tattoo on his upper right arm. The tattoos were infused with a drop of blood from each of the girls so that if they were ever in trouble the tattoo would heat up, similar to what the dark mark used to do, and Hermione and Draco would know instantly that there was something wrong.
"She seems so happy," Hermione sighed, "I'm glad she's having fun."
"McGonagall says she's just like you," Draco smirked, "which means she's studying hard and getting into trouble."
"Oh hush I wasn't that much trouble," Hermione said.
"Love, you battled a troll, helped Hagrid get rid of an illegal dragon which winded you up with detention in the forbidden forest-."
"With you," she pointed out.
"And," he went on, ignoring her, "set Snape's robes on fire during a Qudditch match, snuck into a forbidden corridor meeting a three headed dog, was out after hours, and got past multiple challenges that some adult wizards would never dream of doing, all while getting top marks in class and being twelve years old! How is that not being much trouble?"
Hermione stood there, mouth agape, as she stared at him. "How dare you Draco Malfoy! You make me sound like I was a deviant little trouble maker when in fact I was helping save the Wizarding World!"
Draco smirked, "could have done so without setting Snape's robes on fire."
"You!" Hermione screeched as she began to chase him around the living room. Draco laughed as he evaded her, running left and right until she stopped, hands on her knees, bent over, panting. "You shouldn't make a pregnant woman run so much!" She said indignantly.
"Sorry love," Draco said laughing. "How's little Scorp doing?"
"Scorp?" Hermione asked confused.
"Yeah, Scorpius," Draco shrugged. "I figured we'd keep the tradition going, beside's the night after I woke up, and you told me you were pregnant, I could spot the constellation Scorpius out the window. It just seems fitting."
Hermione stood there a moment and nodded, "I like it," she said.
"Yeah?" Draco asked.
"Yeah,"
"Mum!" Lyra said, suddenly appearing in the doorway, "Lorcan and I want some cake!"
"Hang on," Hermione said turning to her daughter and handing her the card and gift, "Ara sent you something."
Lyra quickly unwrapped the gift, dropping the paper to the ground and exclaimed happily, "Cauldron cakes! Yummy!"
"Will that do instead?" Hermione asked, laughing at her daughter.
Lyra nodded excitedly before running off. "She didn't even read the card."
"She's five," Draco shrugged, "leave her be."
Hermione sighed, sitting down on the couch and resting her feet upon a table. "I'm beat," she said. "Wanna bring me some sort of snack?"
"Like what?"
"Chocolate frogs, and maybe some berty botts every flavour beans! I've been craving those; its so weird, the flavours I'd normally find gross are quite intriguing."
Draco made a face, "I'll be right back."
It didn't take long for Draco to return with her snacks and the two of them sat on the couch, Hermione with her head against Draco's chest, his arm around her shoulder, sitting together eating. It had been an interesting summer for the two, filled with challenges that proved that they could overcome any situation life threw their way. They had thought life had been challenging with three girls, but they had no idea how much more difficult it was about to get.
A/N: Well, that's it. That's the story. Although if you are interested I will write an epilogue, but it will be based 7 years in the future, about Lyra getting in the Hogwarts express. What do you guys think? Should I write it?
Sorry this update took so long, I had a very busy weekend as it was my husband and I's 1st wedding anniversary so it was pretty packed full of things to do. Anyone ever gone ziplining? It's awesome, you should try it!
Anywho, I want to thank all of you wonderful readers and reviewers. All of you who have been with my throughout this story. If it hadn't been for all of you I never would have found the inspiration and motivation to finish. So thank you!
And as always, please review!